SUBARU'S Outback is getting a major make-over for the new model year ... but the popular crossover remains faithful to the original 1996 concept, providing the same do-it-all mix of on-road driving appeal plus great off-road capability in a four wheel drive car which looks just like a normal family estate.

This latest model brings a world first in the shape of a new powertrain pairing which sees the Japanese maker's fabled two-litre Boxer diesel engine mated to a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) for the first time. Subaru says this brings improvements in driveability, fuel economy and emissions.

With the new engine and gearbox combination the new Outback will return 44.8 mpg on the combined cycle with 166g/km CO emissions.

Apart from a few cosmetic modifications, not much has changed on the outside. Body-coloured cladding replaces the previous model's black plastic. Larger fog lamps are fitted while the headlamps feature a gloss black finish and the alloy wheels are finished in gunmetal.

Inside, the upgraded cabin features clearer and more modern instrumentation - including the addition of a liquid crystal instrument cluster display and new materials for a number of dashboard elements. 

For 2014 there's a new SX trim level which offers high levels of standard equipment including body-coloured bumpers, body-coloured power folding door mirrors with integrated LED indicator repeaters and matching colour-coded door handles.  There's a powered-sliding glass sunroof, self-levelling automatic HID headlamps and rain sensing wipers.

Inside, the new SX model comes with steering wheel mounted controls for audtio and cruise control, heated sports seats, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, Bluetooth® hands-free system, audio system with USB connectivity and a VGA centre display with rear vision camera.

Prices start at £29,995 for the manual model with the Lineartronic CVT version costing £1,500 more.